I AM a feather on the breath of God
Feathers come in different sizes, shapes,
colors and textures
God uses my uniqueness
to radiate the world
I AM one feather, and i delight
in the feather that i am.

I AM a flute through which the
wind of the hours plays music
There are a variety of flutes on this earth:
Different tones, different timbers
God uses my sometimes klunky instrument
to play in the symphony
I AM one flute, and i delight
in the flute that i am.

I AM a being through which the Divine river flows
All rivers return to the ocean,
Taking different routes to get there
God has wound my river on a
weird and wonderful path
I AM one river, and i delight
in the river that i am.


-Poetry and artwork by Dr. Jamie Marich,
based on lines from St. Hildegard of Bingen, Khalil Gibran, and Rainer Maria Rilke

What began as a challenge for an Expressive Art project led to a fun family experience with my most difficult medium.  After taking a class at our local library, I decided this was too fun to keep to myself.  First, we prepared our surfaces and gathered the materials to experiment with some acrylic pour paintings. 

Acrylic Pour Supplies:

• Table covers
  
• Canvas
  
• Acrylic Paint:  craft paint, acrylic paint (tubes)
  
• Floetrol and Silicone:  found at Hardware stores
  

or

• Liquitex Pouring Medium
  
• Distilled water
  
• Cups
  
• Stir sticks
  
• Rubber Gloves
  
• Push pins
  

Next, we covered the working surface with plastic or newspapers.  To keep the canvas out of the run off we, placed push pins on the back (corners) of each canvas.  To mix paints, each color is mixed in individual cups with a  3:1 ratio of paint to mixing medium and thinned with water as needed (should drip or flow from the stir stick).   Cells are created by adding a few drops of silicone which is folded in a few times.   The mixed paints are poured or layered into a primary cup and this is known as a “dirty pour”.  Place the canvas on top of the cup in the center while flipping the cup and the canvas over.  Allow the cup to sit a few minutes and gradually raise the cup.   Tip the canvas from side to side and cover the entire surface.   Use stir sticks to wipe dripping paint from the bottom of the canvas.  If the sides are not completely covered, dip your finger into the runoff paint and tap until all white canvas corners and sides are covered. 

Artist Statements:
From the first pour my daughter said, “I feel like I lost myself in this project.  It was fun to focus on colors and what naturally happened.  There was no need to try to control the design, but just let what happened-happen.”

“It was a relaxing experience and fun to watch what happens as the cells appear. I am looking forward to making the next one.”  This from my husband who doesn’t consider himself artistic.
 
Second pour, my daughter said, “I really needed this!”   This project was such a success with my family members who are excited about trying new methods and taking the time to relax, create and embrace art with each other. 
 
Suggestions for bringing Acrylic Pour to the clinical setting:

• Use smaller canvas
  
• Plastic apron to protect clothing
  
• Mix white and black in pour bottles
  
• Cardboard boxes to transport, move, or store paintings
  
• Pour on plastic tote lids to collect runoff paint or create a salvage piece
  
• Use ornaments or paper mache pieces to dip in the salvage paint runoff
  
• Chemical reactions occur and recommend using the Liquitex Pouring medium to reduce odor/eye irritation
  

 
The formulas are a mixture of acrylic paint with an extending medium.  The following pictures were used with the “dirty pour method”.   Paints were mixed using a 3:1 ratio of mixing medium (floetrol) to paint.   Three to five colors were selected.  I would recommend joining an online support group to determine which combination of mediums you prefer and introduction to new methods:

RESOURCES: 
HTTPS://ACRYLICPOURING.COM
HTTPS://ACRYLICPOURING.COM/ACRYLIC-POURING-FLOETROL-RECIPE-INCLUDED/
HTTPS://DANNYCLARKART.WORDPRESS.COM/CATEGORY/ACRYLIC-POUR/
HTTPS://WWW.THOUGHTCO.COM/POURING-ACRYLIC-PAINT-
2577360
HTTPS://WWW.JUSTPAINT.ORG/UNDERSTANDING-THE-TECHNIQUES-
OF-POURING-ACRYLICS
NANCYREYNER.COM/TIPS-ON-POURING-ACRYLIC/ 
 
Happy pouring!
Katie